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A study that integrated robust smoking cessation programmes into an organised low-dose CT (LDCT) lung cancer screening programme found that the inclusion of both interventions has the potential to decrease mortality rates while being relatively cost-effective.

Dr William Evans of McMaster University in Canada presented these findings at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) 18th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) in Yokohama, Japan.

Based on findings from a retrospective analysis, smoking cessation likely plays a role in this mortality reduction. In light of these developments, Dr Evans and his team decided to undertake their own research in this area. The researchers used a microsimulation model called OncoSim-LC. OncoSim-LC is led and supported by The Canadian Partnership Against Cancer with model development by Statistics Canada, and is made possible by funding from Health Canada.

Using the model, the researchers compared screening without an accompanying cessation programme to screening scenarios with cessation interventions, projected over 20 years. Cost-effectiveness was estimated based on a lifetime horizon, health system perspective and 1.5% discount rate.

Costs were reported in 2016 Canadian dollars. Analysing the results from the OncoSim-LC model, the researchers determined that adding a cessation program to an organized LDCT screening program could cost $14,000/quality-adjusted life-years gained, even over multiple attempts at smoking cessation, and result in significantly fewer deaths.

“To achieve the maximal benefits of a LDCT screening program, it is essential to incorporate a robust smoking cessation intervention,” said Dr Evans. “In my long career as an oncologist, I have not been able to save any patients from advanced non-small cell lung cancer. I believe that an organized lung screening program can be used to provide teachable moments for heavy smokers and, ultimately, save lives.”

Some questions remain concerning how these joint programmes would look in practice. More implementation research needs to be conducted in order to determine the exact economic requirements, ensure participant adherence to both types of intervention and analyse other logistical trade-offs. However, these research results are promising and offer hope for more lives to be saved.